Chapter 72

In the jungle, Rong Kaihua and his two companions searched for a long time but still found nothing.

Rong Kaixuan seemed to have suddenly vanished from this world, leaving no trace for them to find.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed. Under the persuasion of Rong Cai and Rong Kaili, Rong Kaihua finally gave up the idea of continuing the search and returned with them.

However, just as they were about to return, a coordinate appeared on the communication talisman tied to their wrists.

The three were overjoyed and quickly ran towards the coordinate.

While moving through the jungle, their vision and movements were greatly affected, and their speed was not very fast. However, these three were all powerful martial artists. They had sharp eyes and agile movements. In just a moment, they had already arrived at a dense grove of trees.

Rong Cai suddenly stopped and stretched out his hand, saying, "Something's not right."

Rong Kaili was slightly stunned and asked, "Grandpa Cai, what's wrong?"

"Kaixuan's coordinates have never moved," Rong Kaihua said solemnly. "This doesn't make sense."

Rong Kaili's face changed slightly. "Could Kaixuan be injured?"

Rong Cai slowly said, "Kaixuan has at least a hundred spirit warrior talismans. Unless he encounters a先天级 (Xiantian-level) expert, it's unlikely he would truly be in danger."

Although the mountains were full of dangers, they were also divided by region.

In the center of the mountains, even Xiantian-level experts would not dare to enter easily. However, if they only stayed on the periphery, even peak-level martial artists could protect themselves.

Rong Kaihua took a deep breath and said, "Everyone, be careful." With that, he released his true qi and led the way in.

A look of satisfaction flashed in Rong Cai's eyes. Rong Kaihua was increasingly showing the demeanor of a third-generation eldest grandson.

Seeing the family gradually prosper and the third generation grow, he was deeply gratified.

Regardless of the dangers inside, since Kaixuan's coordinates were displayed here, they had to enter and investigate.

The three cautiously moved deeper. After a moment, they arrived at the base of a large tree. However, looking at the tree, they exchanged puzzled glances.

Rong Kaihua leaped up and jumped onto the tree. He searched carefully and said with a bitter smile, "Grandpa Cai, Second Brother, Kaixuan left the communication talisman on the tree. Truly..."

His voice suddenly paused because a strong wave of spiritual energy surged around him.

"Boom..."

The branches in front of them exploded, and a thick fog surged out. The fog spread so quickly that it instantly enveloped the three of them.

The three were greatly alarmed and knew something was wrong. They quickly fled in the opposite direction.

However, several powerful and fierce auras exploded outside the fog. They were dark green branches, like spiritual snakes, entangling them.

After a moment, the three were spitting blood, bound by green vines, and collapsed on the ground.

The fog gradually dissipated, revealing five figures. Two of them were Gu Wen and Gu Bin, and the other three were large men with the cultivation of initial-stage martial artists. They were all martial artists trained by Gu Bin, and although they only had initial-stage cultivation, they were more than enough for miscellaneous tasks.

Gu Wen stepped forward, his cold gaze sweeping over the three, and he slowly said, "Where is Rong Kaixuan? Where is he?"

Rong Cai spat and said, "Who are you? Attacking us, hmpf, this is Rong family territory. Are you not afraid of the Rong family's retaliation?"

Gu Wen gave a cold, icy laugh. "Retaliation? The Rong family... hehe." His eyes were full of disdain.

The Rong family was indeed powerful, and he alone could not match them. However, compared to the Gu family, the Rong family was in a different league.

"Since you won't say, I have my ways to find out." He took a step forward, and his face was filled with a sinister, heart-chilling smile.

Rong Kaihua suddenly said, "How did you get Kaixuan's communication talisman? If you even took the talisman, why are you still asking us about his whereabouts?"

Gu Wen paused, then laughed coldly. "Fine, I'll let you die with your eyes open. We sent someone to sell this talisman to Rong Kaixuan. He fell for it, thinking he got a great deal. Hehe, how do you feel about dying because of his carelessness?"

Rong Kaihua's face changed drastically. They were all intelligent people and understood the situation.

These people had even used a valuable communication talisman as bait to ensure they could track Kaixuan's movements.

Moreover, the number of communication talismans that could connect with each other was definitely more than four.

Gu Wen lightly waved his sleeve, and a cloud of incense instantly enveloped Rong Kaili. His eyes also changed, becoming a eerie green.

Rong Kaili's expression gradually became dazed, as if his mind had entered a semi-conscious state.

"Tell me, where is Rong Kaixuan?" Gu Wen's voice was full of诱惑 (temptation).

"I don't know," Rong Kaili answered very frankly, but his voice was hollow and weak, clearly hypnotized.

Just as Rong Cai and Rong Kaihua were about to shout, Gu Bin stepped forward and lightly hit their heads, causing them great pain and preventing them from making a sound.

"When did you lose contact with him?"

"Three days ago."

"......"

"......"

One question after another came from Gu Wen, and Rong Kaili answered everything he knew.

The secret techniques of spiritual practitioners were endless and extremely bizarre. Gu Wen's secret arts were unpredictable, not only easily capturing Rong Cai and the others but also extracting all their secrets.

Finally, Gu Wen finished his questioning. He stood up and lightly waved his sleeve, causing Rong Kaili to faint.

"Brother, I want to crush their bones and scatter them, to vent some of my anger," Gu Bin said viciously.

However, Gu Wen laughed coldly. "No, heal them and keep them under watch."

"What?" Gu Bin said in disbelief. "Brother, you're not avenging Second Brother?"

Gu Wen said coldly, "Is it meaningful to torment them now?" A fierce look flashed in his eyes. "I want to capture Rong Kaixuan alive. I want to flay these people inch by inch in front of him."

His voice was bone-chilling, making the others shiver.

Gu Bin smiled, "Brother, well said." He paused, then frowned. "But how do we find him?"

Gu Wen thought for a moment. "Since he has communicated with these people using the talisman, we'll leave a message on the talisman. Hmpf, I'll give him one day. If he exceeds the time, I'll cut off one of their fingers every hour." His cold gaze swept over Rong Cai and the others. "I want to see if he can hold out."

Rong Cai and Rong Kaihua were filled with shock and anger. They never imagined that their attempt to protect Rong Kaixuan would turn them into pawns to force Kaixuan to comply.

Gu Bin's eyes lit up, but he then frowned. "This plan is good, but the communication talisman has a distance limit. What if he doesn't receive the message?"

Gu Wen slowly said, "Then it's their bad luck. We'll have to start with them."

He turned to Rong Kaihua and sneered, "Pray that he comes quickly."

※※※※

"Detected, in that direction, twenty zhang away, there's a spiritual object."

In the scorching air, Rong Kaixuan suddenly called out loudly.

Qiduoduo pouted and said, "Don't be too happy too soon. This is already the third spiritual object you've found."

Although the Spirit Seeking Technique had a natural advantage in searching for spiritual objects, it could detect all objects with spiritual energy.

Rong Kaixuan continuously used the Spirit Seeking Technique and had found two objects. However, after Qiduoduo identified them, they were not their target.

Although one of the objects was more valuable than the tricolor realgar, it had no effect on the poison affecting his brother.

Rong Kaixuan chuckled, "Dudu, with the Spirit Seeking Technique, I believe we will eventually find the tricolor realgar." He turned to look at the vast mountain. "Even if it's not here, I don't believe the entire mountain range doesn't have it."

Hearing his determined answer, Qiduoduo's heart trembled slightly. But she pouted, "Do you want me to accompany you through the entire mountain range? Hmpf, I don't have that much time."

Rong Kaixuan smiled and rubbed her head. "I know Dudu is the cutest and best girl in the world. Please, just this once."

Qiduoduo shook her head in frustration. "No one but my father can touch my head."

Rong Kaixuan smiled. "Alright, alright, it won't happen again."

In the distance, Lin Yulan looked at them with a helpless gaze.

She had heard him say "it won't happen again" many times, but Rong Kaixuan always did as he pleased, and although Qiduoduo protested each time, she always forgave him.

Seeing how they interacted, Lin Yulan suddenly had an incredible thought.

If the master really went missing and never returned, perhaps it would be a good choice for the young miss to stay by his side.

Suddenly, a voice filled with surprise and joy interrupted her thoughts.

Rong Kaixuan held a strip-like object in his hands, and on it, four different colored stripes were faintly visible.

"Dudu, are you sure this is the tricolor realgar?"

Qiduoduo said proudly, "I am a master of alchemy, of course, I can't be wrong."

Rong Kaixuan was overjoyed. He held the tricolor realgar in his left hand, grabbed Qiduoduo with his right hand, and jumped high, flipping several somersaults in the air.

A light flashed in Qiduoduo's palm, but just as the light was about to release, she saw Rong Kaixuan's ecstatic face. For some reason, her heart also filled with joy.

For months, she had watched people around her die one by one, and the dark and desperate mood seemed to lift in that moment.